Need help with a silent auction basket idea

[clh2]

I posted a thread on the comunity board:

The LINK IS HERE if you are interested in the whole thread.

The part related to scrapbooking is below:

Idea 4 This would be my most "out-on-a-limb" idea: There is a scrapbook store near my mom's house (4 hours away) that will customize scrapbook paper for your school. I was thinking maybe 10 sheets of customized scrapbook paper, and then some coordinating Bazzil paper. The custom scrapbook paper is $1.99 per sheet, the Bazzil would be ~$.60 per sheet. So it would cost me about $25 to $30 to put this together. There are 3 high schools that people attend from our church, however, I was thinking to only do the highschool my DD will be attending, since if the basket would not get a minimum bid, that I would be able to use these items, and not feel like I would be losing money.

So do any of you realy crafty people have any advice? Any ways to make this basket idea a "winner? I would probably get some sort of 12x12 paper holder from Michael's for the container.

As always...I appreciate your advice!
clh2

 

[LindaBabe]

I know you're looking for ideas, but the old lady is going to give you an opinion, instead.

Of all your ideas, I like any of the others better. By investing so much in the themed paper, you're limiting two things

a- the amount of other stuff that can be put in the basket which will make it look kinda skimpy, and

b- the potential bidders for the basket to those who have children in that particular school

The other baskets could be bought by anyone for either themselves or a gift. Abundance sells - everyone likes to bid on (or receive) a basket that looks overstuffed.

 

[ddavis860]

I have to agree with LindaBabe. I think the school themed one would be great for a school sponsered give away or auction, but since this is at a church with several schools, it is very limiting.

I do however LOVE the handmade cards basket idea! The ones sold at BJ's and Costco always sell out. A basket full of general cards like bday, sympathy, get well, baby, etc. would be great, and I bet would be hugely popular...just mho...

 

[clh2]

Darn, Darn, Darn.

I'm going to have to put my "really-big" thinking cap on. The trip they are going on is $1800 or so. (Which wouldn't be so bad by itself, but DD is also going to Spain with her HS Band, and that is a really pricey trip, and the fundraising opportunities for that one really are awful IMHO.)

 

[nicurn]

just posted on your original thread. silent auctions are tricky because everyone is looking for a bargain. I would keep it as general as possible, so you attract a lot of bidding. for example: nascar, that might attract more people than a card basket. it's all about the packaging as well. ie: if doing a home basket with outdoor stuff, put it in a wheel barrow. You want to catch their attention. for other ideas, try googling "school auction" , lots of auction programs will come up and you may get ideas from them. another great place for fundraising ideas is ptotoday.com. they have a message board like this one and they have a whole section on fundraising. good luck! maggie

 

[ddavis860]

We did a fundraiser for a coworker who had a sick child. The ones that got the mose bids were:

"Wine Party Basket" wine glasses, cutting board, serving knives, cheeses, and gift cert to wine store

"Party in a tub" like a margarita theme...complete with parrots

"Crafty Basket" supplies and gift cert to Mike's

Anyway, those are a few that I can remember right now...

 

[clh2]

"Wine Party Basket" wine glasses, cutting board, serving knives, cheeses, and gift cert to wine store

"Party in a tub" like a margarita theme...complete with parrots

I am laughing a little bit with these suggestions, our district PTA always has 1 fund raiser per year, and each PTA at each school donated a couple of baskets for this. For whatever reason, the baskets from our elem school always had a party or some sort of drinking theme.

 

[ddavis860]

I am laughing a little bit with these suggestions, our district PTA always has 1 fund raiser per year, and each PTA at each school donated a couple of baskets for this. For whatever reason, the baskets from our elem school always had a party or some sort of drinking theme.

Yeah, everyone likes a good party!!